Visitor Visa for visa exempt country?

[bally21]

Hi all,
I am sponsoring my husband and I am hoping to hear this week about our approval for stage 1 (sent application Feb 4th). We have flights booked for June 17th and are moving over then. Initially we thought the PR visa would be done by then but as you are probably aware, stage 1 processing times increased dramatically in feb so the PR is likely going to be July/Aug now.

My husband is British and therefore visa exempt. We are arriving in toronto. When we speak to the border agent, do we just say my husband is here to wait with me while his PR application is completed and ask them for a visitor visa?

We initially weren't going to buy a return ticket and just wait to buy one in case he gets an interview request. We also have a letter from my dad saying he will support us financially if needs be and we are staying with him. I know this is called Dual Intent, but when we speak to the border officer, do we tell him/her we are dual intent or wait for him/her to ask us our intentions?

I imagine the PR application will be straight forward as my husband has no criminal record and his medical was perfect.

We are flying Air Transat from Dublin-Toronto so if anyone has experience with them and allowing people to board on 1 way tickets, let me know please!

 

[Isometry]

They'll ask, and be up front about it. Bring proof that you've applied for PR so they know you're doing it above board--a copy of the receipt, and if you've got sponsorship approval or any other communications, bring that too.

Do not tell the visa officer that you are 'moving'. Tell him that your husband is 'visiting' to wait out the PR process. Make it clear that you know and will follow the rules, that you understand that your husband has to go back if his visa expires before the PR comes through, that he can't work while he's there on a visitor's visa, etc.

They will probably give him a passport stamp that's good for 6 months, though that's up to the officer you speak with.

 

[bally21]

They'll ask, and be up front about it. Bring proof that you've applied for PR so they know you're doing it above board--a copy of the receipt, and if you've got sponsorship approval or any other communications, bring that too.

Do not tell the visa officer that you are 'moving'. Tell him that your husband is 'visiting' to wait out the PR process. Make it clear that you know and will follow the rules, that you understand that your husband has to go back if his visa expires before the PR comes through, that he can't work while he's there on a visitor's visa, etc.

They will probably give him a passport stamp that's good for 6 months, though that's up to the officer you speak with.

Thanks for the info!

Is it ok to say I am moving home though? We have our 3 dogs flying on the same flight as us so it's kinda obvious I'm not visiting!

 

[Isometry]

Yes, just don't say that he is moving.